Overview

Manage partnerships and provide protocol support.

You have:

• At least 5 years of postgraduate professional experience in international development, policy or international relations, protocol management.
• Fluency in English required.
• Limited knowledge (intermediate/level B) of another AU official language – French, Arabic or Portuguese – desirable.
• Advanced university degree or university degree and equivalent experience in one or more of the following disciplines: social sciences, international development, development economics or another relevant field.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

28 May 2026-23:59-GMT Greenwich Mean Time (Abidjan)WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

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WHY JOIN WFP?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

THIS RECRUITMENT PROCESS IS MANAGED BY THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME ON BEHALF OF AFRICAN RISK CAPACITY AGENCY (****www.arc.int)

Title of the Post: AU Liaison, Programme Policy and Partnerships Officer

Org. Unit: African Risk Capacity (ARC)

Duty Station: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Contract type: Consultancy

Duration: 6 months

Reporting to: Head of Policy and Technical Advisory Services’ Department

Background

The African Risk Capacity was established as a Specialized Agency of the African Union (AU) in November

2012 with 39 countries that are currently signatory to the ARC Establishment Agreement. The aim of ARC is to help Member States improve their capacities to better plan, prepare and respond to extreme weather events and disasters and to assist food insecure populations. Operating under the privileges and immunities of the AU, the ARC Agency, through its Secretariat, provides Member States with capacity building services for early warning, contingency planning and risk finance.

In 2014 ARC Agency established a financial affiliate, ARC Insurance Company Limited (ARC Ltd) which is a specialist hybrid mutual insurance company that issues policies to governments, and which aggregates and transfers risk to the international market. ARC, through ARC Ltd. and after its capacity building activities, provides financing in the form of insurance to African governments to execute pre-approved contingency plans in the event of severe disasters. In order for a country to purchase an insurance policy through ARC Ltd. and thus become a member of the Company, the country must demonstrate through a peer review process its ability to effectively use potential payouts.

As ARC scales up its efforts to reach more countries, the institution is seeking to fill the position of an AU Liaison Officer, Programme Policy and Partnerships Officer.

The ideal candidate should have a track record of experience in supporting and monitoring the implementation of strategic partnerships and agreements on the African continent with specific experience with the African Union Commission (AUC) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Additional experience in providing protocol for senior officials in support of missions is also essential.

Reporting Line and Duties:

The Partnership & Protocol Officer will report directly to the Head of the Policy & Technical Advisory Services Department within ARC and will be responsible for the following key duties:

Partnerships:

• Contribute to the management of a portfolio of partnerships including the existing partnership between ARC and the AUC and UNECA;

• Support the implementation of the engagement strategy and plan with the AUC and UNECA, including related yearly activities that maintain and develop these partnerships;

• Proactively contribute to the identification of areas and opportunities for collaboration with various departments within the AUC and UNECA by developing and supporting the negotiation of joint agreements and associated implementation;

• Foster effective working relations with the AU and UNECA counterparts, government representatives and other relevant national and international partners on information-sharing, policy and coordination matters;

• In partnership with relevant AUC and UNECA departments, initiate and coordinate ARC outreach activities (conduct workshops, make presentations on assigned topic/activities), and ensure that these are aligned with the general intent of ARC;

• Support relationship with the AUC and UNECA on communication activities, including identification of high–visibility, results-oriented communication opportunities – in order to mainstream understanding of ARC within the AUC and UNECA;

• Represent ARC in meetings with Member States and other stakeholders as needed and ensure that ARC Senior Management has ongoing information on the activities of the AUC and UNECA and key developments;

• Support the coordination of ARC’s reporting to the AUC and UNECA including associated participation in the AU summit and other meetings as hosted by the Commission and ECA, and their Departments and Organs.

Programme Policy Support

• Collate, policy documents and other materials on areas of mutual interest between ARC and other policy bodies such as AUC, RECS, and UN Agencies including on issues related to Disaster Risk Reduction, Disaster Risk Management, climate change, gender, etc;

• Analyse continental and regional policy and strategic frameworks including emerging initiatives and prepare timely and accurate briefs to advise ARC executive team and technical departments on possible implications and approach for how ARC can align with them

Protocol

• Provide protocol services for ARC senior management and Board members by assisting at the airport, with accommodation, transport, accompanying on missions and ensuring protocol coverage and necessary security for official activities such as meetings, high level missions and visits;
• Support the planning, organisation management and coordination of ARC high level missions;
• Prepare draft documents, memoranda, note verbales or correspondence relating to his/her duties and generally in all tasks entrusted to him/her by the Head and in line with institutional missions and events;
• Assist ARC Administrative and Legal staff with matters relating to administrative formalities and processes;
• Ensure that ARC outreach to AU Member States is conducted according to official, recognized processes of the African Union and is aligned with the general intent of ARC;
• Manage protocol responsibilities for ARC related to major events inside the AU;
• Manage visits by high-level guests to ARC offices.

Other

Perform other related duties as requested by the Head of PTS

Qualifications & Experience Required

Education:

Advanced university degree or university degree and equivalent experience in one or more of the following disciplines: social sciences, international development, development economics or another relevant field.

Experience:

At least 5 years of postgraduate professional experience in international development, policy or international relations, protocol management.

Specific experience working with AUC and UNECA is greatly welcomed.

Language:

Fluency in English required. Limited knowledge (intermediate/level B) of another AU official language – French, Arabic or Portuguese – desirable.

Technical Skills and Knowledge:

• Excellent communications technique such as to approach partnerships in a creative and entrepreneurial manner. A keen sense of initiative and anticipation as well as a rigorous and methodical approach.
• Excellent presentation and problem-solving skills
• Strong organization and planning ability
• Ability to think and plan strategically
• Ability to work independently, as well as to organize, assess and coordinate activities
• Ability to work harmoniously with people of different national and cultural backgrounds
• Good knowledge of diplomatic norms and practices
• Specific experience of implementing protocol arrangements for government officials
• Experience discussing technical issues with high level government officials
• General knowledge of the AU, UN and Donor system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration is an asset
• Strong writing, research and analytical skills
• Strong computer skills, including excellent skills in MS Office based word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database and other standard software packages and systems.

AFRICAN RISK CAPACITY AGENCY SHARE THE SAME LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK AS THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: [email protected]

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.
• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at [email protected]. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.
• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

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Potential interview questions

Added 7 hours ago - Updated 7 hours ago - Source: wfp.org